Zug, Switzerland – Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, has secured Zurich Insurance Group as an Official Sponsor for the 2018 – 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championships. The Swiss insurance company is also continuing its support as an Official Presenting Partner of the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup for a further four years until the end of the 2020/21 season.
As an Official Sponsor of the IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship, Zurich will benefit from brand exposure on advertising boards in camera view. In addition, the company's logo will be integrated across all official print materials, the IIHF website and video spots on-site. The package is complemented by a comprehensive hospitality contingent and further advertising and promotional rights throughout the event.
National presence – regional roots
InfrontRingier, the Swiss subsidiary of Infront, re-launched the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup together with the Swiss Ice Hockey Federation in September 2014. From the first season onwards, Zurich supported the competition at the highest level of the sponsorship hierarchy.
Now, with the prolongation of the agreement, Zurich will continue to benefit from comprehensive brand exposure in the respective stadia through board and under-ice advertising as well as on the player helmets, jerseys and pads and goalie gloves. In addition, a ticketing package allows Zurich to offer spectacular ice hockey experiences to its partners, customers and employees throughout Switzerland. Finally, the package is rounded by promotional and activation rights together with visibility in print, online and TV media across Switzerland.
Christoph Gaus, Head of Marketing at Zurich Switzerland: “I am extremely happy with this new agreement. Ice hockey is an honest and popular sport, which is in perfect alignment with the national insurance company of Zurich. Together with the fans, we are looking forward to outstanding games - especially the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship in Switzerland, which will be an unforgettable event for everyone.”
Bruno Marty, Executive Director Winter Sports at Infront: “Zurich is a strong and reputable brand in Switzerland and beyond. Particularly with respect to the 2020 IIHF Ice Hockey World Championship on home ground, the brand will build on its existing ice hockey strategy - enhancing its involvement by implementing new measures that strengthen the brand even further and at the same time support the tournament.”
Gian Gilli, Managing Director at InfrontRingier: “Zurich has been supporting the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup from the outset and is, as a brand, one of the winners of the re-launch of this legendary knock-out competition. We are therefore very pleased that the brand is extending for a further four years. Together, we will continue to focus on regional activation – amongst others by specifically addressing families and children in the ice hockey arenas on-site.”
About Infront Sports & Media
Infront Sports & Media, a Wanda Sports company, is one of the most respected sports marketing companies in the world, managing a comprehensive portfolio of top properties. Led by President & CEO Philippe Blatter, Infront covers all aspects of successful sporting events – including distribution of media rights, sponsorship, media production, event operation and digital solutions – and has won a reputation for its high standards of delivery. As the number one player in winter sport and with a leading role in football, summer and endurance sports, Infront enjoys long-lasting partnerships with close to 170 rights-holders and hundreds of sponsors and media companies. Headquartered in Zug, Switzerland, Infront has a team of more than 900 experienced staff working from over 35 offices across more than 15 countries, delivering 4,100 event days of top class sport around the world every year. In November 2015, Infront was integrated into Wanda Sports Holding, part of the Chinese conglomerate the Dalian Wanda Group.
About InfrontRingier
InfrontRingier Sports & Entertainment Switzerland AG, based in Zug, Switzerland, is a 50/50 joint venture between the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media and the largest Swiss media group Ringier. It unifies the competencies and experiences of both mother companies and has developed into the leading sports marketing company in Switzerland. InfrontRingier supports organisers of sports events as well as top athletes as a marketing, consulting and service partner. The high-level national portfolio includes, besides others, the Raiffeisen Super League, the Swiss Ice Hockey Cup and the Tour de Suisse.
About Wanda Sports
Wanda Sports is the world’s leading sports business entity, founded to capture the opportunities in the global sports industry and to contribute to the prosperous international sports landscape in three key areas: 1) Spectator Sports (media & marketing business), 2) Participation Sports (active lifestyle business), 3) Services (digital, production and service business). Led by President & Vice Chairman Philippe Blatter, Wanda Sports incorporates the international sports marketing company Infront Sports & Media, the iconic endurance brand IRONMAN and Wanda Sports China. The headquarters are in Guangzhou, China.
